Cutter for raspberry and similar stalks.



M. B. SHERMAN. GUTTER FOB RASPBERRY AND SIMILAR STALKS. APPLICATIONFILED AUG. 3, 1908.

922,529, Patented May 25, 1909 3 vwzutoz THE Nonms PETERS ca, vasmucnm,n. c.

UNTTED %TA.TE% PATENT MARINUS B. SHERMAN, OF FAYETTE, IDAHO.

CUTTER FOR RASPBERRY AND SIMILAR STALKS.

Application filed August 3, 1908.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARINUs B. SHERMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Payette, in the county of Canyon and State of Idaho, haveinvented a new and useful Cutter for Raspberry and Similar Stalks, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to cutters which are especially used forsevering raspberry branches and it consists in the novel constructionand arrangement of its parts hereinafter shown and described.

It is the practice in many sections of the country among those who makea specialty of raising raspberries for the market and specially so inarid sections to bend the vines down in the beginning of the season andthe fruit which is to be harvested matures upon the reclining branches.After the fruit matures and ripens these branches are com letely severedfrom the stalks or roots an are usually gathered in piles and permittedto dry when the fruit is removed from the vines by threshing orotherwise.

The present invention has relation to a cutting mechanism especiallyadapted to be used for completely severing the reclining branches fromthe stalks in an effectual and economical manner without injury to thosestalks which are permitted to remain and which are generally referred toas the oncoming growth.

In the accompanying drawing the figure is a perspective view of thecutters indicating its mode of operation.

The cutter consists of the side plates 1, which are in parallel relationand spaced apart. The said plates are pointed at their forward ends asat 2. The said plates are adapted to be attached to the side of a runnerof a sled or to the spindles of a light wagon. The knife 3 is locatedbetween the plates 1, and is provided with a serrated or saw toothedlower edge 4. The forward end of the said knife blade 3 is also pointedas at- 5. The under edge of the pointed end 5 is also provided withserrated or saw teeth similar to those indicated at a under the body ofthe blade 3. The arms 6 and 7 are mounted upon the upper edge portionsof the plates 1, the lever 8 is fulcrumed to the arm 6 and the lever 9is fulcrumed to the arm 7. The link 10 connects the forward end portionof the lever 8 with the blade 3 and the link 11 connects the rear endpor- Specification of Letters Patent.

Fatented May 25, 1909.

Serial N0. 4, 16,706.

tion of the lever 9 with the rear end portion of the blade 3.

In operation the cutter is used as follows. It is first attached to theside of the sled or the wagon as above indicated and said sled or wagonis drawn along the row of plants the branches of which have beenpreviously bent down as above described. By adjusting the levers 8 and 9the blade 3 may be positioned at a desired angle with relation to ahorizontal line and the said blade 3 may be projected at a distancebelow the lower edges of the plates 1, as the serrated saw teeth 4: ofthe said blade 3 encounter the reclining stems of the plants. Thus thestems are severed from the stalks and they may be gathered into pilesfor drying and subsequent threshing. It will also be observed that theblade 3 is carried in the line of draft or parallel with the line ofdraft and has no effect whatever upon the soil, its only function andobject being to sever the branches of the stalks from the plants.

By reason of the fact that the forward end portions of the plates 1 arepointed the said forward ends of the said plates will ride over theprostrate branches of the plants and hold the same in close contact withthe surface of the soil while the blade 3 operates upon the sameeffecting the separa tion of the branches from the stalks.

By reason of the fact that the forward end portion of the blade 3 ispointed and is at all times above the lower edges of the said plates 1and between the forward and rear ends of the plates, the pointedextremity of the blade 3 is protected or housed to such an extent thatit cannot plow under or enter the soil. Nor can it pass under thebranches and lift them out of contact with the surface of the ground.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is 1. A cutter comprising parallel spaced plates, ablade located between the plates, and means mounted upon the plates foradjusting the opposite ends of the blade with relation to the loweredges of the plates.

2. A cutter comprising parallel spaced plates, a blade located betweenthe plates, lever mechanisms mounted upon the plates and beingoperatively connected with the blade and adapted to be manipulated so asto adjust the blade vertically with relation to the plates and also toadjust the opposite ends of the blade with relation to the lower edgesof the plates.

3. A cutter comprising parallel spaced plates having pointed forwardends, a blade located between the plates and having a pointed forwardend, and means mounted upon the plates and being operatively connectedwith the blade for adjusting the 0pp'osite ends thereof with relation tothe 10 lower edges of the plates.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afliXedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MARINUS B. SHERMAN.- Witnesses:

A. N. SoLIss, JAs. A. LAOKEY.

